EXCLUSIVE: Nicole Scherzinger will RETURN as X-Factor judge: Simon Cowell confirms final line-up will include singer, Louis Walsh, 63, and Sharon Osbourne, 63
- Nicole Scherzinger will return as a judge on new season of the X Factor
- The singer was a hit with viewers when she appeared on the panel
- She is expected to join Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell
Singer Nicole Scherzinger will return as an X Factor judge, it has been revealed.
Just hours after Rita Ora’s departure was announced, Miss Sherzinger was unveiled as the favourite to fill her spot on the talent show’s judging panel.
The former Pussycat Dolls star was a judge on the show in 2012 and became a favourite with viewers who were left amused by her quirky hairstyles, mannerisms, sayings and natural warmth.
Returning to the chair: Nicole Scherzinger, far right, previously appeared as a judge on the X Factor in 2012 alongside (from left) Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow
Miss Scherzinger, 37, who previously dated F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, is expected to sit alongside Louis Walsh, 63, and Sharon Osbourne, 63, who are also expected to return.
Media mogul and show creator Simon Cowell, 56, will remain as head judge.
Yesterday a source close to Miss Scherzinger said: ‘Rita had been in discussions [to return] but it became apparent she was no longer the automatic top option.
‘Nicole Scherzinger was a huge success whens she was on the X Factor a few years ago and has long been part of the X Factor family. She provided fun and entertainment and a huge personality to the show. She is the definite favourite to get the seat next to Simon.’
Miss Ora, 25, confirmed yesterday that she would be following Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, 32, who quit as a judge on the show last month.
Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, 31, announced he would be leaving his judging role earlier this year after just one series, while presenting pair last year’s show hosts Olly Murs, 31, and Caroline Flack, 36, have both also departed.
On Twitter yesterday, Miss Ora wrote: ‘I had a ball on @TheXFactor last year and will miss the team.’
Former flame: Miss Scherzinger, 37, previously dated F1 champion Lewis Hamilton (pictured together)
The star also tweeted her old boss Simon Cowell, saying: ‘can’t wait to work with you again... I’ll be round for dinner soon. Thank you for the experience & love X’
According to sources Miss Ora is keen to focus on her film and music career.
An X Factor spokesman said: ‘Rita bought a great energy to the show last year and did a brilliant job mentoring the girls’ category, leading Louisa to victory.
‘We wish her all the best with her music and film plans for the rest of the year.’
Such was her popularity, Miss Scherzinger returned to the X Factor in 2013 with a reported salary of £1.5million.
West End star: Scherzinger received critical acclaim for her performance as Grizabella in Cats the musical
She did not return in 2014 after landing a multi-million pound music deal with Sony. Later that year she made her West End debut starring as Grizabella in the 2014 revival of the musical Cats at the London Palladium where she played the role for a 12-week run until February 8, 2015.
Scherzinger’s portrayal of Grizabella received acclaim from critics particularly praising her rendition of the song standard 'Memory'.
Her performance garnered a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical.
On June 30, 2015 Scherzinger was crowned as the winner of the variety show I Can Do That where six celebrities compete each other by performing skills that they never knew they had.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3583436/Nicole-Scherzinger-RETURN-X-Factor-judge-Simon-Cowell-confirms-final-line-include-singer-Louis-Walsh-63-Sharon-Osbourne-63.html#ixzz48HTLrHlT
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